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A '''synagogue''' is a [[house of worship]] in the [[Jewish]] religion.  The Jewish [[Sabbath]] is on Saturday, but observant [[Jews]] worship every day and many synagogues hold services every morning and evening. Synagogues often serve as a community center and have schools for [[Religion|religious]] and general instruction.  

A '''synagogue''' is a [[house of worship]] in the [[Jewish]] religion.  The Jewish [[Sabbath]] is on Saturday, but observant [[Jews]] worship every day and many synagogues hold services every morning and evening. Synagogues often serve as a community center and have schools for [[Religion|religious]] and general instruction.  

The layout of a synagogue is somewhat similar to a [[church]]. There are rows of seats for the congregation and a raised area in the front from which services are typically led (some synagogues have the podium in the middle of the congregation). In the front there is an ark contains handwritten scrolls of the [[Torah]], the first five books of the [[Bible]]. The scrolls are taken out and read from aloud during morning services on Saturday, Tuesday and Thursday and on Jewish holidays. Synagogues rarely have any sort of painting or sculpture in the round, as this was long thought to be against the jewish prohibition of idolatry.

The layout of a synagogue is somewhat similar to a [[church]]. There are rows of seats for the congregation and a raised area in the front from which services are typically led (some synagogues have the podium in the middle of the congregation). In the front there is an ark contains handwritten scrolls of the [[Torah]], the first five books of the [[Bible]]. The scrolls are taken out and read from aloud during morning services on Saturday, Tuesday and Thursday and on Jewish holidays.  

While most synagogues have a [[Rabbi]] and a [[Cantor]], services can be, and often are, led by lay adults. Men are expected to cover their heads when in a synagogue as a sign of respect. In [[Orthodox Judaism|Orthodox]] synagogues, men and women are seated separately.

While most synagogues have a [[Rabbi]] and a [[Cantor]], services can be, and often are, led by lay adults. Men are expected to cover their heads when in a synagogue as a sign of respect. In [[Orthodox Judaism|Orthodox]] synagogues, men and women are seated separately.